- London High Court dismissed Gatwick’s appeal on 7 July 2026.
- The court confirmed the government’s right to relax slot rules for Summer and Winter 2026/27.
- The regulation allows airlines to return up to 10pc of slots without impact.
- The government cited fuel shortages and price spikes as justification.
- Gatwick argued airlines would cut unprofitable routes.
The London High Court has dismissed an appeal from London Gatwick airport against a government decision to relax slot rules for Summer 2026 and Winter 2026/27.
The court confirmed in a 7 July ruling that the government had the right to issue the temporary regulation following a lawful consultation process. The regulation allows airlines to return up to 10pc of their slots without impacting future slot allocation.
The government justified the relaxation by citing fears of fuel shortages and challenges stemming from a spike in fuel prices. Gatwick had argued that airlines could cut their least profitable routes, creating a financial burden on the airport operator and ground handling companies. The court found the government’s consultation process to be lawful.
The temporary regulation is voluntary and applies to the Summer 2026 and Winter 2026/27 seasons. The ruling confirms the government’s authority to issue such regulations in response to market conditions.
